🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "violent electoral rallies".

A minimum of four protesters have been killed during confrontations between police and military and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth consecutive term.

Issa Tchiroma asserts that he won the election, a claim dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for caution.

Minister's Allegations

On Tuesday, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "illegal" rallies causing the loss of lives, and also condemned him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who took control in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the October 12 election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had previously announced that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being detained.

When results were announced, he claimed that armed men shot on demonstrators present near his house in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Inquiry Revealed

Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an probe would be initiated into clashes surrounding the declaration of the vote outcome.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he commented, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

Nji noted that a number of members of the law enforcement also received major harm.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister maintained the condition across the country was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in various areas of the nation, especially in urban centers, where protesters set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the roads.

Experts alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a governmental instability.